"Pulsating, Soulful, Lively tale, of DeathRarely has any film about death been so lively, so pulsating, so soulful
"

FilmFestivals.com

An ominous dream convinces 77-year-old Dayanand Kumar that his end could be near

He takes the news to his son Rajiv, knowing he wants to breathe his last in the holy city of Varanasi and end the cycle of rebirth, by attaining salvation. Being the dutiful son he is, Rajiv, is left with no choice but to drop everything and
make the journey with his stubborn father.Daya and Rajiv check into Mukti Bhawan(Hotel Salvation) in Varanasi, a guesthouse devoted to people to die there. But as the days go by, Rajiv struggles to juggle his responsibilities back home,
while Daya starts to bloom in the hotel.Rajiv gives his father a shot at salvation but as family bonds are tested, he finds himself torn, not knowing what he must do to keep his life together.

Reviews & Ratings

"A brilliant tale that explores life and death"

The Economic Times

"Pulsating, Soulful, Lively tale, of DeathRarely has any film about death been so lively, so pulsating, so soulful
"

FilmFestivals.com

"A heartwarming tragicomic tale about life, death and reconciliation"

Firstpost.com

"If there is only one film that you want to see this week, this month, this year - or this lifetime - let it be this one."

NDTV

"A Masterpiece That Dares To Smile At Death!"

SKJ Bollywood News

"Powerful and mesmerising.
It is a unique vision that is powerful, arresting and well-executed!"

Sify News

"An enjoyable, thoughtful comedy about dying, freedom and family ties."

The Director

The moment I heard about these hotels in Varanasi, I knew I had to go see them formyself to be able to believe it. I did not know what to expect in a place wherepeople check themselves in to die.

Surprisingly, these hotels were all so unassuming - all a part of the city, tucked away in a lane, sometimes very hard to find with each having their own set of rules, thatoperated like a world in itself. But the real
surprise, however, lay in myconversations with the guests and the stories of the people who live there.

One such story about a son who had to bring his father here for his last days, mademe stop looking at Mukti Bhawan as a setting, but as a place shaped by therelationships of the people in it. While this could have been
a film about any ofthe guests at the hotel, Mukti Bhawan is about the impact of this place on oneparticular family. It explores this idea of liberation and what that means tothe three different generations, beginning
with the patriarch.

Ironically, Mukti Bhawan isn’t a story of death,but of life and relationships that make us who we are, in a city that sometimes sees death as part of it’s fabric and sometimes as a celebration.

Shubhashish Bhutiani grew up in a small Himalayan town in lndia and attended Woodstock School, Mussoorie. He specialized in Direction as an undergraduate from the School of Visual Arts, New York in 2013.

Two time Indian National Award winner, Shubhashish’s first directorial feature film, Mukti Bhawan-Hotel Salvation World Premiere was held at the prestigious Venice International Film Festival 2016. He was honored with the XXlIIrd PRIX "ENRICO FULCHIGNONI" Award and UNESCO Gandhi Medal 2016 for the film. The film has won 11 International Awards till date.

Mukti Bhawan’s has been invited to reputed festivals like Busan International Film Festival, 2016, DIFF 2016, Dubai, GIFF2017, Sweden, Berlinale EFM and Vesoul Film Festival, France where it won the Critics Choice Award. The film opened to rave critic reviews and audience appreciation all across India during its Theatrical release in April 2017. Mukti Bhawan has travelled to over 45 International Festivals across the globe and is scheduled forTheatrical release in over 50 countries from May 2017.

Shubhashish’s thesis film at School of Visual Arts, New York titled ‘Kush’ had its World Premiere at the Venice International Film Festival 2013, where it won the Orizzonti Award for Best Short Film. Kush was also shortlisted by the Academy Award for an Oscar in The Best Live Action Short in 2014 and won over 25 International Awards, including the National Award by the President of India in 2013.

He was also Nominated and Finalist for the Financial Times/ Oppenheimer Funds as Emerging Voices in Cinema for Asia Pacific 2015. And Forbes India recognized him in 30under30 list in January 2017 for his achievements as a Writer-Director.